Recessed luncheon table



United States Patent 3,111,035 RECESSED LUNCHEGN TABLE Walter Goodman, Skoirie, lih, assignor to Pixley and Ehlers, Chicago, ill., a corporation of lllin'ois Filed Apr. 19, 1962, Sar. No. 183,714 9 Claims. {31. res-2e This invention relates generally to tables and more particularly concerns a luncheon table for use in cafeterias, said table having a plurality of recessed formations formed in the top thereof, each recessed formation opening to the peripheral edge of said table below the normal level thereof and being of a size and configuration adapted to receive a tray therein, whereby to permit the patron to dine without removing the food laden dishes from the tray.

This invention is primarily intended for use in selfservice eating establishments, such as cafeterias where patrons take their own trays to tables, and after use, the trays are picked up by employees. An efficient cafeteria operation, especially during peak or rush periods, demands that the tables be cleared quickly and completely once the patron has finished eating, thereby to provide cleared, clean places for new patrons.

The speed and efficiency of the aforementioned clearing procedures is markedly reduced by the scattering of utensils, dishes, waste and the like over the dining area of the table. Such scattering would be substantially eliminated if the patron would not have to remove dishes and utensils from the tray prior to eating. The necessity for removal of the dishes from the tray prior to eating may be traceable to the discomfort encountered during eating from dishes without removal thereof from the tray. This discomfort may be attributed to two factors. First, the dishes are raised to an uncomfortable level above the table due to the thickness of the tray. Second, the upstanding walls of the tray interfere with the normal eating habits of patrons by unduly limiting the dining area per person at a table. Such tray walls constitute carriers above the table level and between adjacent dining areas thereof. These barriers are both physically and psychologically unnecessarily restrictive.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a table structure having means for achieving maximum comfort of the patron without requiring the removal of the dishes from the tray prior to dining.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a table structure characterized by a table top having a plurality of recessed formations formed therein at predetermined locations, said recessed formations opening at the peripheral edge of and below the normal level of the table top, such recessed formations being of a size and configuration to receive a tray therein, thereby to encourage the patron to retain dishes and utensils on the tray while dining.

A urther object of the invention is to provide a table top with a plurality of spaced, recessed formations opening to the peripheral edge thereof, each recessed formation defining a dining area for a patron and permitting the dishes to be retained upon the tray without the presence of barriers between adjacent dining areas and with maximum eating com ort to the patron.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a table and tray combination which will encourage the patron to eat on the tray and which will permit utensils, dishes and waste to be removed speedily and efiiciently subsequent to the p'atrons departure so as to effectively increase turnover during peak periods of cafeteria operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention include the provision of precisely located dining areas for each lit patron, greater accessibility to condiments for each patron, less breakage and spillage upon the tables and/ or floors during the operation of the cafeteria, and many others as will be evident as a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention unfolds below.

While merely intended for use in cafeterias and the like, the table constructed in accordance with the invention has equal application and advantages wherever trays are utilized for the carrying of foodstuffs and said trays are intended to be set down upon tables for the purpose of eating therefrom. Thus, even in homes and gardens, patios and the like, tables embodying the concept and structure of the invention defines substantial advantage.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table constructed in accordance with the invention illustrating the manner of use thereof.

FiG. 2 is a side \elevational view of the table illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 and in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Generally, the invention provides a table structure which is primarily intended for use in cafeterias. The table structure according to the invention, is characterized by having recessed formations formed in the top member thereof, each of said recessed formations opening to the vertical edge of the top member and being of such a size and configuration to accommodate a tray therein. A recessed formation is located below the normal level of the top member whereby the side walls of the tray rise to a height substantially co-plan-ar with the top member when the tray is installed within the recessed formations.

A table constructed according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing and. shall be designated generally by reference character ltl. Table it comprises a top member 20 having a plurality of recessed formations 31} formed therein, a top support member 22, a pedestal 24 and a base 26. The table top 20 rests upon the top support member 22 which, in turn, is secured to the pedestal 2 4. The pedestal 2d rests upon and is secured to the base member 26. The top member may be preferably molded of a synthetic plastic composition such as polyester-fiberglass.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, the table top 2%) has a circular configuration. Five recessed formations 30 are formed in the substantially uniform surface 32, each equally spaced one from the other along that portion of the top 29 adjacent the periphery thereof. Each of said recessed formations 39 is of a rectangular configuration, and chosen to be of a depth to receive a rectangular tray 34- therein. The recessed formations 3i? each are provided with side walls 36 and a rear wall 33, each being slanted so that the top opening of the recess 36 is larger in area than the floor 40 thereof. The length and width dimension of the floor 40 is chosen to be slightly larger than the floor portion- 42 of the tray 34 whereby to enable the tray to be easily received in the recessed formation 30. The depth of the recess 30 is chosen to enable the lip 46 of the tray 43 to overhang the surface 32 adjacent the walls 36 and 38 of the recessed formation 30. The degree of inclination of the walls 36 and 38 is selected to match the degree of inclination of the walls 44 of the tray 34.

The center area of surface 32 of the table top is adapted to have such condiments as salt and pepper cellars, napkin holders, other condiment bottles and the like places thereon so as to be easily accessible to the live patrons accommodated at table 10. The table top 20 is provided with a depending flange 50* at the peripheral edge thereof thereby to present a smooth edge [to the exterior of the table.

The manner of securement of the table top 2%} to the table top support member 22 is well-known in the art, the member 22 comprising a supporting plane member 52 having walls 54 conjoined with and depending from the underside of said member 52 along one edge of said walls and conjoined with each other along another edge thereof. The member 22 has the geometrical form similar to an upended cone. The edge 56 is tapered diagonally downward whereby the walls 54 may act as bracing structures for the table top 20. The bottom end portion 58 of the top support member 22 is received in or otherwise joined to a cylindrical pedestal 24 at the top thereof. The pedestal 24 is secured or otherwise joined at the lower end thereof to a base structure 26.

The embodiment described hereinaoove is one intended to provide dining space for five patrons. Not shown, but equally feasible, without departing from the scope of the invention, is a provision for more or less dining places. For example, a rectangular table top may be utilized and opposite pairs of recessed formations formed therein.

It is also feasible to extend one recessed formation transversely across the table with the elimination of the rear wall 38 thereof. In this case there would be a substantial area still available for the placement of the condiments such as shown in the center portion of the surface 32 of table 20.

The particular configuration, as described, of the recessed formations and trays are not mandatory but said elements must be complementary to one another.

It is evident that any minor variation may be made in the dimensions and materials described without departing from the concept and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A luncheon table particularly adapted for use with tray members comprising, a table top mounted on a pedestal, said table top having an upper planar surface having -a plurality of recessed formations therein spaced one from the other and opening to said upper surface, each recessed formation having a floor which is co-planar with and below the said upper surface, each of said recessed formations also opening to the marginal Vertical edge of said table top and below said upper surface whereby to provide access thereto for slidable engagement in and withdrawal from a recessed formation of a tray along a path of movement parallel with the plane of said surface and from below said surface whereby dishes carried on said tray will be prevented from being upset during movement of the tray along said path.

2. A luncheon table and tray combination comprising a luncheon table adapted to be mounted on a pedestal and having a top, said top having a planar upper surface and a plurality of recessed formations formed in said surface, each recessed formation being spaced from adjacent recessed formations and having a floor coplanar with said upper surface and disposed below the normal level of said upper surfaces, each of said recessed formations having one side thereof opening to the vertical periphenal edge of said top below the normal level thereof, and a tray of size and configuration adapted to be received in said recessed formations, said side opening providing access for said tray into and out from said recessed formation, said tray being slidably engageable in and withdrawable from a recessed formation through said side opening along a path of movement parallel with the plane of said upper surface and from below said surface whereby the tray need not be tilted during movement thereof along said path.

3. A. luncheon table as claimed in claim 1 in which said recessed formations are rectangular.

4. A luncheon table as claimed in claim 1 in which said recessed formations are rectangular and spaced equally from said adjacent formations.

5. A luncheon table as claimed in claim 1 in which said recessed formations have side and rear walls canted to define the top opening larger than the floor of said recessed formations.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which said recessed formations extend transversely across the table top.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said top is of molded construction of a synthetic plastic.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the walls of the recessed formation and the walls of the tray are of substantially the same height.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 8 in which the walls of the recessed formation and the walls of the tray are canted substantially at the same angle relative their respective floors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,319,803 Sicher Oct. 28, 1919 1,738,429 Heyman Dec. 3, 1929 1,952,568 Schappet a1 1 Mar. 27, 1934 2,015,118 Mayer Sept. 24, 1935 2,419,229 Preis Apr. 22, 1947 2,601,177 Smullen June 17, 1952 2,608,454 Slattery Aug. 26, 1952 2,659,641 Draxlery Nov. 17, 1953 2,782,426 Townsend Feb. 26, 1957 2,887,349 Pagnotta May 19, 1959 2,906,412 Tanner Sept. 29, 1959' 2,986,438 Smathers et a1 May 30, 1961 

1. A LUNCHEON TABLE PARTICULARLY ADPATED FOR USE WITH TRAY MEMBERS COMPRISING, A TABLE TOP MOUNTED ON A PEDESTAL, SAID TABLE TOP HAVING AN UPPER PLANAR SURFACE HAVING A PLURALITY OF RECESSED FORMATIONS THEREIN SPACED ONE FROM THE OTHER AND OPENING TO SAID UPPER SURFACE, EACH RECESSED FORMATION HAVING A FLOOR WHICH IS CO-PLANAR WITH AND BELOW THE SAID UPPER SURFACE, EACH OF SAID RECESSED FORMATIONS ALSO OPENING TO THE MARGINAL VERTICAL EDGE OF SAID TABLE TOP AND BELOW SAID UPPER SURFACE WHEREBY TO PROVIDE ACCESS THERETO FOR SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT IN AND WITHDRAWAL FROM A RECESSED FORMATION OF A TRAY ALONG A K PATH OF MOVEMENT PARALLEL WITH THE PLANE OF SAID SURFACE AND FROM BELOW SAID SURFACE WHEREBY DISHES CARRIED ON SAID TRAY WILL BE PREVENTED FROM BEING UPSET DURING MOVEMENT OF THE TRAY ALONG SAID PATH. 